Royal Wootton Bassett Town Under 14 Blues secured their second North Wilts League Cup crown in three seasons after a resounding 5-0 final victory against Croft Junior Yellow at the County Ground.

Two goals from Daniel Warre put the Blues in a commanding half time position, and second half strikes from Jack Langcaster, Freddie Merrett and Jed Phillips sealed a fantastic victory following a high quality performance.

After a cagey start, Warre struck his eleven minutes in, getting on the end of a Nat Bell corner and tapping in from close range.

Croft then had a period in which they threatened. They came close from two free kicks, the first of which was curled over with the latter fired straight into the hands of Bassett 'keeper Dave Chimbaza. Chimbaza had to be alert again, saving well low to his right, as Croft fashioned an opening in open play.

Having survived that spell, Bassett went about extending their lead, but Warre and Michael Gilder both missed great chances, while Sidney Skippen headed over the bar.

The second eventually arrived shortly after the half hour mark. Gilder's clipped pass set Bell free down the right, and his powerful run and square ball from the byline was steered in at the far post by an unmarked Warre.

While Bassett had been on top, runaway Division Two champions Croft had shown flashes.

The Blues could therefore not take their foot off the gas in their quest to reclaim the cup crown they first earned two seasons ago after a victory on penalties against Greenmeadow Youth. And that they didn't.

Langcaster eventually put the result beyond doubt following the restart with his tenth of the year. Merrett started the move, driving through the Croft midfield before picking out Gilder in the right channel with a great through ball. Gilder kept his composure and produced an expert cutback pass, which was coolly slotted in by Langcaster.

Bassett were now fully controlling the game, and Merrett pounced within a minute. Pressing the Croft defence, he stole possession just outside the area, burst into the box and calmly slid the ball home for his first goal of the campaign.

Phillips then added further gloss to the scoreline with his team's fifth, tapping in at the far post following a towering in-swinging Bell free kick, which Croft failed to deal with.

The cup triumph wraps up a fantastic season for the team. Bassett finished second in the league, after narrowly being pipped to the title by Swindon Supermarine R, while they also advanced to the third round of the Under 15s County Cup.

And now they finish it off with silverware - earned in scintillating style - in their hands!

Goals from the game, filmed by YourSport Swindon, can be viewed here, while a post-match interview with Bassett duo Freddie Merritt and Michael Gilder is also available to to watch.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 21st May 2017 at 17:35